April is still a long way off, but when planning a trip it’s never too early to start thinking about where to go, when to go, and to snoop out any possible deals for accommodation and travel.

This is the perfect time to look at some possible destinations for Easter if you don’t want to spend it at home. In many parts of the world that celebrate Easter there are numbers of interesting holiday customs and traditions that make a trip interesting even for non-religious folks. So here are some suggestions on where to celebrate Easter in 2012.

Corfu, Greece

The Greek islands are predominantly Orthodox, which means that there are lots of interesting traditions involved in the celebration of Easter. With decorated and dyed Easter eggs and a variety of delicious holiday foods and age-old practices, Easter in Greece promise to be colorful. In addition, April is a great time of the year for Mediterranean destinations – you can enjoy some pre-summer warm weather without having to deal with any dog-days.

There are plenty of villas, hotels and self-catering apartments available for visitors to Corfu, so it’s quite easy to find accommodation for every type of budget!

Caribbean

photo by Lee Coursey on Flickr

This year, Easter will be around the end of the Caribbean peak season, which means that there is a high possibility of scoring some great deals. With many tourists leaving the Caribbean islands that time of the year, hotel and flight fares are bound to drop, especially if you don’t mind relying on last-minute deals.

Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Santa Lucia and Jamaica all have lovely beaches and lots of activities to keep you busy during the Easter break.

Koh Samui, Thailand

If you are looking for affordable beaches and nightlife in a picture-perfect setting, Koh Samui will prove to be an excellent choice for the Easter holiday. Although you won’t be surrounded by a particularly Easter-y atmosphere, the beaches of Koh Samui and the few interesting cultural attractions of the island will do their best to keep you entertained.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, photo by Oh-Barcelona.com

The religious side of Easter is very prominent in Spain, where the Holy Week is one of the most important parts of the year. In Barcelona you can attend processions, see people dressed in various traditional costumes, and partake in a variety of Easter practices.

Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral is probably the most fitting place for Easter masses in all of Spain! Even if you’re not planning on participating, the festive mood of the city will make your holiday all the more pleasant.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If Holy Week in Barcelona sounds like an overly somber affair, head to Rio de Janeiro where church processions are actually a lot of fun for everyone involved. Although the Easter festivities in Rio are surprisingly low key (perhaps because it follows the debauchery of the Carnival), many of the locals take the opportunity to raise a glass and relax on Easter Sunday.